Online Romance with an Iceberg Professor Backfired - Chapter 14
Chapter 14: Applying Medicine
When Ji Pei received the report, the sky was already darkening, rapidly entering nightfall. Fortunately, there was no bone fracture, only a partial ligament tear, but that alone was enough for Jiang Xianhan to suffer.
The doctor prescribed some anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medicine. Ji Pei pushed the wheelchair borrowed from the emergency room to a quiet area and went to the emergency pharmacy to pick up the prescription.
Ji Fan, who had been hungry all evening, ate a bowl of Oden at the convenience store and packed two more portions to take to the car.
“I got the medicine.”
Ji Pei put the boxes of medicine in her bag and pushed the wheelchair out of the emergency room entrance. The wheelchair was borrowed, so Ji Pei carefully moved Jiang Xianhan to the passenger seat and returned to hand it back.
Ji Fan diligently fastened Jiang Xianhan’s seat belt and offered a bowl of steaming Oden, placing it on the small tray in front of Jiang Xianhan.
“Professor Jiang, you must be hungry. I bought Oden for you, the clear broth kind. Have a little something to tide you over.”
Ji Fan also pulled out a heated bottle of fresh milk. “And this. My sister asked me to buy it. She said you must be hungry.”
Jiang Xianhan took the milk bottle Ji Fan offered, her palm hugging the warm glass bottle. She looked up and saw Ji Pei rushing back.
Ji Pei sat in the driver’s seat, fastened her seat belt, and said apologetically, “Professor Jiang, you mentioned you live in S City.”
Jiang Xianhan, warming her hands with the milk bottle, nodded. “Mhm.”
Ji Pei stared at her slightly pale lips and paused. “S City is too far. It’s inconvenient to go back now. How about this? You stay at my place for the time being.”
Jiang Xianhan looked at Ji Pei’s apologetic eyes and said, “Wouldn’t that be too much trouble for you?” She took out her phone, opened a ticketing app. “S City isn’t that far, only an hour away. Maybe I should…”
“Professor Jiang.”
Ji Pei was sincere. “This whole thing is my fault. Your legs and feet are inconvenient because you’re injured. It’s not safe for you to go back alone. I saw news that S City had a stalker incident recently. It’s too dangerous.”
Jiang Xianhan blinked slowly. “There was something like that.”
Ji Fan quickly chimed in, “Exactly! Professor Jiang, don’t go back. You have to be back in school to teach after tomorrow. It’s so inconvenient traveling back and forth. Just stay at our house.”
Jiang Xianhan considered it for a moment. Ji Pei propped one hand on the steering wheel, watching the professor, waiting for her affirmation.
“Alright then. But I’m going to be a lot of trouble for you during this time.”
Ji Pei smiled and finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Jiang Xianhan held the glass milk bottle with both hands and tried to twist the cap twice, seemingly exerting great effort, but the cap seemed stuck to the neck of the bottle, and she couldn’t open it. Ji Pei was about to drive away from the hospital when Jiang Xianhan handed the milk bottle to her. “I can’t open it.”
Ji Pei took the milk bottle and twisted it open with a slight effort.
“The milk is still warm. Drink it while it’s hot. We’re leaving now.” She instructed Ji Fan, “Order a wheelchair. Professor Jiang can’t walk easily. We can’t let her use crutches.”
Jiang Xianhan took small sips of the warm pure milk. The opening was a bit large, and the white milk stained the corner of her lips. Her slightly pale lips gradually regained color and became rosy under the warmth of the hot milk. Ji Pei looked at her relaxed demeanor and sighed in relief.
“I originally planned to treat you to Cantonese cuisine, Professor Jiang, but then this happened. Next time, we won’t go to that place. We’ll try a new Cantonese restaurant.”
Jiang Xianhan was paying attention to the landmarks around them and realized their car was heading in the opposite direction. After about ten minutes, when their car passed the entrance of A University, Jiang Xianhan couldn’t help but ask.
“Did we take a wrong turn?”
Ji Fan quickly answered. “No mistake, this is the place.”
The car slowly drove into an area dense with maple trees. It was the season for red leaves. Jiang Xianhan could see the fiery red maple leaves by the light of the street lamps. The Porsche stopped in front of a three-story villa. Jiang Xianhan stared at the standalone villa, hesitating. “This place…”
Ji Pei explained, “This is also my home, but I haven’t lived here for a while.”
The car slowly drove into the garage. There were two other sports cars in the spacious garage. Jiang Xianhan glanced at the emblems; they appeared to be collectible Lamborghini sports cars.
Ji Pei unfastened her seat belt, walked to the passenger side door, and continued, “It’s very quiet here. The scenery and air quality are good, and the security is excellent. The police station is just a left turn away.”
Ji Pei opened the car door and extended her right hand toward Jiang Xianhan. “Professor Jiang, come down. Take it slow.”
Jiang Xianhan took her hand and, using Ji Pei’s strength, supported herself with her left foot, slowly getting out of the car. Because of the intermittent pain in her ankle, Jiang Xianhan’s movements were very light and slow. Even the simple act of getting out of the car was broken down into a half-speed motion.
Ji Pei was not impatient with Jiang Xianhan’s slowness. Instead, she constantly watched the ground for her and even kicked away a few harmless dry leaves.
Ji Fan pushed the wheelchair over. “Sister, this wheelchair seems to be automated. It’s quite high-tech.”
Ji Pei hadn’t expected it to be delivered so quickly. She had planned to carry Jiang Xianhan in, but now it seemed unnecessary.
The living room door opened from the inside, revealing a Chinese-style, antique interior. What set it apart was the massive framed oil painting of plum blossoms in the most prominent location in the living room, which exuded a Western Romantic sensibility, symbolizing the exuberant passion of winter. Putting these two styles together might sound incongruous, but Jiang Xianhan found it to be a bold clash of colors, indicating the homeowner had excellent taste.
The owner of the house was Ji Pei, and this painting must also be…
Ji Pei saw Jiang Xianhan staring intently at the oil painting and scratched her head, feeling a little embarrassed.
“I painted this when I was in junior high school. Just a random scribble. My mother said plum blossoms should be painted with ink for a more scholarly style.”
Jiang Xianhan smiled softly. “Art is more elusive than the wind. Everyone can be an artist. Ink wash paintings are beautiful, but oil painting is also a form of innovation.”
Ji Pei felt she had found a kindred spirit in Jiang Xianhan’s words.
Jiang Xianhan hadn’t had a chance to eat the Oden bought for her. Ji Pei felt that feeding Jiang Xianhan such food was demeaning, so she had Ji Fan heat it up and eat it. Cantonese cuisine was out of the question. At this hour, all the more formal restaurants were closed, and ordering takeout would just be junk food.
Jiang Xianhan wasn’t hungry after drinking the milk. She sat on the sofa with her right pant leg slightly rolled up. Ji Fan had eaten too much—cold drinks and three portions of Oden—and rushed to the bathroom as soon as she got home.
Ji Pei opened her bag and took out the anti-inflammatory medicine: two bottles of spray and a bottle of pain-relieving oil. She took them out of their packaging, placed them on the table, and began to read the instructions. Ji Pei had never used the spray. She only remembered that when Ji Fan sprained her ankle as a child, they used the pain-relieving oil. The method was simple: pour it into the palm, apply it to the affected area, and massage with the palm to promote absorption.
“Professor Jiang, please take off your shoe and sock so I can see your foot.”
Jiang Xianhan methodically removed her shoe and sock. Her normally fair and delicate instep was now swollen and faintly bruised, and her ankle was also swollen. Ji Pei held her breath. She hadn’t expected it to be so swollen. An uneasy feeling washed over her again.
If she hadn’t been careless, fallen down the stairs, and crashed right into Jiang Xianhan, the professor wouldn’t have sprained her ankle.
“Give me the medicated oil. I’ll rub it on.”
Jiang Xianhan bent down to touch her ankle, but she couldn’t find a comfortable position. In her impatience, she strained the injured area and winced in pain.
Ji Pei grabbed a cushion and placed it under Jiang Xianhan’s calf.
“Let me do it. The doctor said you should elevate your right leg first, and then apply an ice pack.”
Jiang Xianhan must have never sprained her ankle before, otherwise, she wouldn’t have suggested applying medicated oil immediately. Ji Pei had a habit of collecting ice packs. She put the medicine on the table, walked into the kitchen, took one out, and wrapped it in a thick towel.
The soft towel was pressed against Jiang Xianhan’s swollen ankle. Ji Pei gently pressed with one hand.
“Professor Jiang, this isn’t too cold, is it?”
“It’s fine.”
Ji Pei lowered her head, her palm pressing on the towel-wrapped ice pack. She sighed and spoke candidly.
“Professor Jiang, actually… I’m a lesbian, and I have a girlfriend. You’re not afraid of me, are you?”
If physical contact was too intimate, it exceeded the normal social distance. Ji Pei decided to let Jiang Xianhan hold the ice pack herself.
Jiang Xianhan understood the implied meaning. A flicker of subtle satisfaction passed through her eyes.
“Sexual orientation is a right everyone is born with and should be respected.”
Ji Pei secretly breathed a sigh of relief and withdrew her hand.
Jiang Xianhan saw all of Ji Pei’s small movements. The corners of her lips unconsciously curved into a subtle, smug smile.
“You are very responsible. Your partner must be a very lucky person.”